I don't understand why he would swim closer to a poisonous stingray. I would never swim near something like that especially if I saw it and just wanted attention. Not a good job to have thats for sure.

He was filming a show, that's why he was out there swiming in the midst of all the 'creatures'... that's his job, or was his job rather. Most, I won't say all because I'm no expert, but most animals won't harm you at all unless they feel threatened by your presence, in which this case the stingray felt threatened and raised its barb. It was a freak thing that happened because even though stingrays are poisonous they aren't fatal, usually. It all depends on how they sting you. In this case the barb went into his chest and pierced his heart, releasing the venom directly into his heart causing him to go into cardiac arrest. I personally admired the man for his work, and his passion for it too... he loved what he did and it showed. I grew up around alligators, crocs, all sorts of 'vicious' creatures. Once an alligator had taken residence underneath my car. I didn't notice it until I went to unlock the door and the buggar swung its tail and startled me. I didn't attempt to get into the car because I knew that if I had and started the engine, not only would it have possibly hurt the alligator but it would have caused the alligator to go into "attack mode." I just walked back inside the house, called my friend and told her to come and pick me up because my car was being held hostage by a gator. It ended up moving on to who knows where after about a day but I'll never forget that dumb gator. You just have to know how to react around them is all. Once in the ocean, granted I was only waist deep out there... there were 3 stingrays swimming around me... and those suckers were about 3 feet wide from side to side. All I did was walk back into shore... that's it. As long as you don't attempt to touch an animal that's not familiar with you or make them feel threatened, they won't harm you.

It was a freak thing that happened because even though stingrays are poisonous they aren't fatal, usually. It all depends on how they sting you. In this case the barb went into his chest and pierced his heart, releasing the venom directly into his heart causing him to go into cardiac arrest.

Well...A pierced heart is dealy by itself. Apierced heart underwater..even worse. A pierced heart underwater by a stingray. I guess is deadly....

But She is right. Stringrays are peaceful creatures. And to humans, there stings are like that of a jellyfish. They hurt alot but wont kill. But stingrays have NO venom...its a barb on their tail...its like being stabbed with a dirty jagged hunting knife. But some people...like with jellyfish have worse reations then others. In this case it was the MASSIVE damage to his heart that killed him. Nothing reguarding the ray itself.

The events were caught on camera, and a copy of the footage was handed to the Queensland Police.[34] After reviewing the footage of the incident and speaking to the cameraman who recorded it, marine documentary filmmaker and former spearfisherman Ben Cropp speculated that the stingray "felt threatened because Steve was alongside and there was the cameraman ahead." In such a case, the stingray responds to "danger from above" by automatically flexing the serrated barb on its tail (which can measure up to 25cm in length) in an upward motion.

Well...A pierced heart is dealy by itself. Apierced heart underwater..even worse. A pierced heart underwater by a stingray. I guess is deadly....

But She is right. Stringrays are peaceful creatures. And to humans, there stings are like that of a jellyfish. They hurt alot but wont kill. But stingrays have NO venom...its a barb on their tail...its like being stabbed with a dirty jagged hunting knife. But some people...like with jellyfish have worse reations then others. In this case it was the MASSIVE damage to his heart that killed him. Nothing reguarding the ray itself.

The events were caught on camera, and a copy of the footage was handed to the Queensland Police.[34] After reviewing the footage of the incident and speaking to the cameraman who recorded it, marine documentary filmmaker and former spearfisherman Ben Cropp speculated that the stingray "felt threatened because Steve was alongside and there was the cameraman ahead." In such a case, the stingray responds to "danger from above" by automatically flexing the serrated barb on its tail (which can measure up to 25cm in length) in an upward motion.

The barbs/tails are in fact coated with venom. That's where I assume the sting in their name comes from. They're not poke-rays. Re-read the 2nd paragraph on that stingray page from Wikipedia you posted... venom.

The barbs/tails are in fact coated with venom. That's where I assume the sting in their name comes from. They're not poke-rays. Re-read the 2nd paragraph on that stingray page from Wikipedia you posted... venom.

Some are venomous....I have no idea if his was or not. But yes I read that. Thank you Professor Science

Some are venomous....I have no idea if his was or not. But yes I read that. Thank you Professor Science

lol, you're welcome? hahahaHas anyone seen a report on which species of stingray it was that got him? There's so many of them out there and I'm sure that not all have venom, but the majority of them do, it's their only form of defense really. I've heard stingrays actually taste good. Don't know from personal experience though. I know shark tastes damn good!

The barbs/tails are in fact coated with venom. That's where I assume the sting in their name comes from. They're not poke-rays. Re-read the 2nd paragraph on that stingray page from Wikipedia you posted... venom.

also one thing to add is they are barbed...like that of an arrow....they go in smooth....then when Steve pulled it out....it did more damage by ripping the heart out....(not the entire heart....but you know what I mean).

All in all it was a thing that when it comes down to it, and your time is up....it is up. I loved that guy, and all he did. I have heard many people say how stupid he was, and surprised he made it this long....but I loved what he stood for, the energy in which he did with and the attitude in which he did it. He knew the dangers and loved his job, we should all be as lucky to die doing something we love....just my opinion though

All in all it was a thing that when it comes down to it, and your time is up....it is up. I loved that guy, and all he did. I have heard many people say how stupid he was, and surprised he made it this long....but I loved what he stood for, the energy in which he did with and the attitude in which he did it. He knew the dangers and loved his job, we should all be as lucky to die doing something we love....just my opinion though